California legislators have introduced assisted suicide legislation called the California S.B. 128, which would allow doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to terminally ill patients who want to commit suicide. The Catholic Church opposes assisted suicide because of its respect for the sanctity of life from conception to natural death.

What is Physician-Assisted Suicide?

Physician-assisted suicide is conducted when a physician prescribes a lethal dose of medication for consumption by a patient for the purpose of causing that patient’s death.

What is Catholic teaching on physician-assisted suicide?

The Catholic Church opposes both physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. Catholic teaching strongly affirms that life must be valued not only when it brings pleasure and well-being, but also in times of suffering and death. Life is a gift from God. We are stewards of life, not dictators of life. All life, at every stage is precious. True compassion calls us to embrace those who are dying, not provide them with the means to end their lives.